France: Bordeaux to La Rochelle
Medieval ramparts, sweeping coastal views, beautiful villages, an island paradise, and more make this cycling tour from Bordeaux to La Rochelle truly epic!
Guided Biking
- Daily Mileage: 4 - 44|
- Biking: 2 - 5 hr|
- Group Size: 20
Starting From
10-day Air Package
$4,445
7-day Bike Tour Only
$3,445
Per person, double occupancy

France: Bordeaux to La Rochelle
Like a fine wine, France’s coastal region should be savored slowly, and that’s just what you’ll do on this bike tour. Coasting on an Atlantic breeze, you’ll behold sweeping sea views while cycling La Rochelle, inhale the fragrance of wildflowers, and taste succulent oysters and local wine. You’ll hear your footsteps clatter on the cobbled lanes of an Old Town, and behold some of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France.” Guided tours will open a window to history as you stroll ancient ramparts and board a replica of a Revolutionary War ship. And you’ll end each day in carefully curated accommodations that offer sumptuous dining and pampering amenities. Best of all, you’ll experience these sensory pleasures at a leisurely pace, as only a bicycling vacation allows.What to Expect
This tour is rated Easy. Road, hybrid and e-bikes are offered. We cycle several sections of La Velodyssee, La Flow Velo and the bike paths on Ile de Re. These bike routes are on paved roads with shoulder or bike lane or on bike paths, sometimes gravel. We do ride over some cobblestone in Rochefort, La Rochelle, and Saint-Martin-de-Re (we recommend you dismount and walk those sections) and we do cross railroad tracks and wood bridges, which can be slippery (dismount and walk your bike is recommended). There are some gentle rolling hills on Day 3 AM ride between Saint-Palais-sur-Mer and La Tremblade. Wind can be a factor along the Atlantic ocean.
- Daily Mileage: 4 - 44|
- Biking: 2 - 5 hr|
- Group Size: 20
Cycling
Cyclists
Support
Tour Highlights
- Cycle along La Vélodyssée, a bike route known for its unspoiled landscapes.
- Enjoy a wine tasting in the lovely and well-preserved village of Talmont-sur-Gironde.
- See for yourself why Talmont-sur-Gironde, Brouage, and Ars-en-Ré are listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages” in France.
- Pass oyster farms and perhaps pause to sample these tasty shellfish as you spin toward La Tremblade.
- Take in panoramic sea views from the ancient ramparts of La Rochelle on a guided walking tour.
- Explore a replica of General Layfayette’s famous ship, l’Hermione, with a local guide.
- Discover a cyclist’s paradise on Ile de Ré and perhaps admire Atlantic views from its lighthouse or bell tower.
Average High /
Low Temperature (°F):
May65º/52º
Jun71º/57º
Jul75º/61º
Aug76º/61º
Sep71º/56º
Oct64º/51º
Average
Precipitation:
May2.4 in
Jun2.0 in
Jul1.7 in
Aug2.1 in
Sep2.7 in
Oct3.2 in
Air Package | Tour Only |
|
---|---|---|
Roundtrip international airfare | ||
Transfers to and from international airport | ||
One night in Bordeaux and one night in Paris in conveniently located hotels with breakfasts included | ||
6 nights in small boutique hotels | ||
12 meals: 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners |

Road Bicycle (Carbon frame)
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Step-Through (Mixte Hybrid) Comfort Bicycle
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Step-Over (Diamond) Comfort Bicycle
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Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)
See More >Biking Packages Include:
Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
Vehicle Support
Luggage Transfers
Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
Welcome Reception
Facilitated Cultural Experiences
Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure
Accommodations
Enjoy Your Vacation Longer With Low-Cost Trip Extensions
Air Package Only
2021 Pre-Trip Extension - Bordeaux
2 Nights From $345 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: From $245
- 2 nights at the Mercure Bordeaux Cité Mondiale Centre Ville Hotel
- Daily breakfast
- City Information
- Airport transfer
Depart home for France. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary.
Upon arrival at the Bordeaux Merignac Airport (BOR), claim your luggage and clear customs. If your luggage is lost, you must fill out a PIR form before leaving the customs area; VBT representatives are not allowed into the customs area. Also, make sure that your VBT luggage tags are attached to your bags so that your representative can identify you.
The representative will be waiting outside the customs area in your arrival terminal and will be holding a VBT sign. They will assist with your transfer by private car (approximately 30 minutes) to your hotel in Bordeaux. The rest of the day is free to explore the city, using VBT’s City Information as your guide. Choose a restaurant for dinner on your own.
If you are going to be delayed meeting our transfer representative for more than 15 minutes due to delayed or lost luggage, please note that our drivers are generally able to wait for up to 45 minutes from the time your flight lands, after which you will be responsible for your own transfer. However, they might be able to reschedule your transfer if they are aware of the delay. Please contact Allianz Global Assistance to advise of your delay, and they will contact our transfer service.
Please note: Your hotel room may not be available until 3:00 p.m. If you arrive early, you may store your luggage with the reception desk.
Accommodation: Mercure Bordeaux Cité Mondiale Centre Ville Hotel, Bordeaux
Enjoy a full day to explore Bordeaux. You might take the tram from your hotel to the tourist office, where you can sign up for a wine tour of the Medoc region. Or stay more local and visit the Water Mirror, the world’s largest reflecting pool and an urban oasis offering beautiful reflections of the stately Place de la Bourse. Visit La Cité du Vin, a new museum that celebrates wine. Explore the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the cathedral, a marvel of Gothic architecture. Wander the shady lanes of the Jardin Public. And enjoy the cafés and restaurants that earned the city designation as France’s best food city—ahead of both Paris and Lyon—by the prestigious foodie website Atabula in 2017.
Accommodation: Mercure Bordeaux Cité Mondiale Centre Ville Hotel, Bordeaux
Included Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, continue exploring Bordeaux. You might choose to experience the city’s multicultural side with a visit to the Saint Michel quarter where you’ll find the Basilique Saint-Michel and the Flèche Saint Michel, the city’s tallest monument. Dinner is on your own tonight.
VBT Air Package guests arrive throughout the day.
Accommodation: Mercure Bordeaux Cité Mondiale Centre Ville Hotel, Bordeaux
Included Meals: Breakfast
Air Package Only
2021 Post-Trip Extension - Paris
2 Nights From $445 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: From $395
- 2 nights at Pullman Paris Montparnasse
- Daily breakfast
- City Information
- Airport transfer
Today’s opportunities in the “City of Light” are endless. You might visit the Luxembourg Gardens, located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. After a full day of independent exploration, enjoy one of Paris’ fine restaurants using VBT’s City Information as your guide.
Accommodation: Pullman Paris Montparnasse, Paris
Included Meals: Breakfast
Continue your independent exploration of Paris today. Perhaps you’ll tour Paris’s famous Catacombs, an underground labyrinth in the heart of the city. If you’re here on a Wednesday or Saturday, you might stroll through the Edgar Quinet Market—one of the best open-air food markets in Paris. For breathtaking, 360-degree views of the city, ride the elevator of the Montparnasse Tower to the observation deck on the 56th floor. The views are particularly spectacular at sunset as you gaze out at the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Afterward, you might enjoy a snack along the nearby Rue du Montparnasse—affectionately nicknamed “crepe central.” Or stop at one of the legendary Montparnasse cafés, which are mostly centered around the Vavin Metro station. Paris landmarks such as the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Luxembourg Gardens, Champs Élysées, the Latin Quarter, Basilica de Sacré-Coeur, Père Lachaise cemetery, Paris Opera House, and so much more also await your discovery.
Accommodation: Pullman Paris Montparnasse, Paris
Included Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast* this morning, transfer to the Paris airport (approximately 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic) for your departing flight**. Please ensure you are ready in the hotel reception area at the designated time.
* Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the front desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.
** Please note: VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder.” VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.
Included Meals: Breakfast

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